Probability of Success

History

2009-10: After being drafted 147th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Phillip Varone had an injury shortened season. He played in only 31 games for the London Knights(OHL). Varone did score at a point-per-game pace when healthy, finishing with 9 goals and 22 assists.

2010-11: Varone attended the Sharks’ camp before returning to London for an overage season. With a limit on overage players, he was traded to Erie in October 2010. After scoring 1 goal in four games with the Knights, Varone was a key player for an Otters team that won 40 games for the first time since 2001-02. He was the second-leading scorer with 33 goals and 81 assists in 55 games and was plus-22 with 30 penalty minutes. The Otters finished third in the Midwest Division before losing to defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor in a tight seven-game series. Varone was Erie’s leading scorer in the playoffs, finishing with 3 goals and 10 assists in seven games. He was not signed to a contract by San Jose in June 2011, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

2011-12: Varone was signed to an AHL contract by the Rochester Americans after attending Buffalo’s training camp. He was the leading scorer for the Sabres’ affiliate, scoring 11 goals with 41 assists, and was plus-17 with 42 penalty minutes in 76 games. The Amerks finished second in the North Division. Varone and Marcus Foligno each scored 1 goal with 2 assists to lead the Amerks in scoring in the three-game playoff series with Toronto. The Sabres signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in March, 2012.

2012-13: Varone skated in 62 games for Buffalo’s AHL affiliate in Rochester in his second pro season. A healthy scratch at times early in the season due to the NHL lockout, he scored 11 goals with 24 assists and was -3 with 42 penalty minutes. The Americans finished second in the North Division and were swept by first place Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. Varone played in all three playoff games and was -4 with no points and 2 penalty minutes.

Talent Analysis

Scouts are divided about Varone. Some say that, despite his small stature, he is slick and skilled enough to be a top-six playmaker in the NHL, with a Daniel Briere-like ability to elevate his game when it matters most. Others say that Varone is destined to top out as an AHL scorer.

Future

Varone did not impress in the first year of his three-year contract. He is still a talented offensive player, but still needs to score more to overcome his lack of size. Varone will spend another year with Rochester as one of their top centers.

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Photo: Defenseman Taylor Doherty, currently skating in AHL Worcester, is one of two draft picks from the Sharks 2009 class that is still part of the organization (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

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Photo: Forward Phil Varone currently leads the Rochester Americans with 29 points through 32 games. Varone is in his third year at the AHL level. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

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Photo: Forward Zemgus Girgensons is one of four teenagers to play for the Buffalo Sabres this season. The Latvian-born Girgensons was selected 14th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

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Photo: Defenseman Alex Lepkowski had a strong playoff run with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. The 20-year-old was a defensive mainstay for the Colts, who finished one win away from a berth in the 2013 Memorial Cup. (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL images)

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Photo: Mikhail Grigorenko remains the top prospect for the Buffalo Sabres. Drafted 12th overall in 2012, Grigorenko has played 17 games in the NHL this season. (courtesy of Cliff Welch/Icon SMI)

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